St. Paul could compete with other cities for a portion of a $50 million pot to pay for a regional ballpark in Lowertown; meanwhile, supporters of the Southwest Corridor Light Rail Line say the project risks losing federal support without a state contribution.
Business + Economy
The Minnesota House passed the Vikings stadium bill in a 73-58 vote on Monday but included a series of amendments-including one that a Vikings spokesman called "not workable." The Senate began debating the stadium bill early Tuesday afternoon.
A University of Minnesota Extension study found that the state's 562 museums are also a boon for Minnesota's tourism industry; last year, an estimated 1.7 million people visited museums outside of their home regions, each spending an average of $24.35.
The new location at The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove will be Whole Foods' sixth in the Twin Cities.
Half of Minnesota businesses expect the state economy to improve in the quarter that ends in late May-and 40 percent plan to increase headcount during that period, according to Twin Cities Business' quarterly economic indicator survey.
Minnesota employers collectively lost 200 jobs in March, due in large part to the government sector cutting 1,800 jobs; the private sector, meanwhile, added 1,600 jobs during the month, likely fueled by strengthened consumer spending.
AAR Corporation plans to occupy 152,000 square feet in the former Northwest Airlines' maintenance facility in Duluth.
A new report from the Metropolitan Council predicts that the Twin Cities population will increase by 31 percent during the next three decades, while the area's "gross metro product" is expected to reach $400 billion.
The bill, which was unanimously approved by both the House and the Senate, would allow employers in the private sector to express a hiring preference for all veterans and for the spouses of veterans who have died or who have a service-related disability.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's annual State of the City address focused on initiatives aimed at bolstering North Minneapolis, including plans to bring a new work force center to the neighborhood.
Personal income in the state totaled about $238.8 billion in 2011, compared to an estimated $227.3 billion the previous year.
The rapidly growing, Chanhassen-based fitness chain-which now has more than 1,300 franchised locations in six countries-plans to expand to the United Kingdom by opening up to 100 clubs there over the next five years.
A report says that the state has the resources and the infrastructure to be at the leading edge of growth in the international advanced biofuels and biobased chemicals industries.
The winners of the 27th annual Governor's International Trade Awards were announced at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Export Initiative luncheon in Minneapolis.
Production has ramped up at the mill, which resumed production in August, and the owners are aggressively cultivating more business.
The Chanhassen-based direct marketing services provider is consolidating operations at various U.S. facilities and boosting production at its facilities in Chanhassen and Hamburg, Pennsylvania; meanwhile, the company plans to hire more than 60 in Chanhassen.
A new analysis suggests that the economic benefits of a proposed high-speed rail between Rochester and the Twin Cities could "easily exceed both the initial capital cost and the long-term operating cost of the proposed project."
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system will ask the state's businesses which jobs are available now-and which openings they project for the future-so that it can align its education programs with those needs and better prepare students to join the state's work force.